Ilove to make people laugh, and I don’t mean with my looks. I don’t
do so to display my sparkling wit or quick mind. Rather, I do so because
I have found that nothing relaxes someone as much as laughter.
When I was growing up, traveling salesmen were renowned for
their endless supply of new humorous stories. It wasn’t until I began
selling things that I realized why humor was so essential to them. No one
wanted to deal with a salesman; however, they would put up with one if he
or she was entertaining enough.
Humor seems to have the power to loosen people up and to relieve them
of their anxieties. I’m sure that many a parent has failed to discipline a
child when the child’s explanation for his or her actions was so funny that
the mishaps were forgiven. This was not my personal experience, as when
I was a child, I tended to spout out denials rather than cute, dumb quips.
Even though it was clear that I was the guilty culprit, “I didn’t do it!” or “It
wasn’t me!” were my usual answers to accusations. Later, while working
for the government, I learned to lie more effectively.
My personal use of humor is to keep friends off balance or confused. That
way, when I say something that might offend them, they accept it as just
being my sense of humor.
Laughter has the power to lessen grief and loss. It can lighten heavy
moods, even when there seems to be no room for levity. Laughter can be
used as a safety valve. It is amazing how a witty remark can somehow
smooth over an embarrassing moment or an awkward situation. When
someone stumbles, I often ask coyly if they had a “nice trip”…corny but
effective. Humor allows one to be serious in a funny way.
Humor can be either calculated or spontaneous. Both forms can have
the same effect, as long as things are said in good nature with a smile and
a twinkle in your eye. You can even call someone “stupid,” as long as you
follow it with an apology such as “I’m sorry I called you stupid, I thought
you knew;” or “When I asked, ‘how stupid can you be?’, I didn’t think you
would take it as a challenge.” I believe that in order to be truly humorous,
you must be able to see all three sides of the coin.
A good joke will get you into any conversation, as almost everyone will
want to hear the difference between Brussels sprouts and boogers. There is
something about laughter that changes our feelings and soothes our souls.
There have been many scientific studies that show how humor can do
more than improve your outlook. It can actually cure illnesses and other
things that medical science can’t explain. Laughter is a cure-all, so use this
prescription and practice the art of humor. It will be a blessing to you and to
those you encounter. Whenever I need a good laugh, I look in a mirror and
wonder who that strange person is that always stares back.
I’m not myself today and everybody has noticed the improvement 73